Lock pin



Sept. 27, 1927. 1,643,586 A J. P. RATIGAN LOCK PIN Filed Dec. e, 1926 I N VEN TOR. JCI/155 l? HHT/@H/u RNEYS. s I ,vk ATTO rse Patented Sept. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. RATIGAN, OF WALNUT PARK, CALIFORNIA.

LOCK PIN.

Application filed December 8, 1926.

dligure 1 is a perspective view ot a conne tor having embodied therein a lock pin constructed in accordance with the provisions of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal view, partly in section, of the lock pin shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, from the line indicated by 3 3 Fig. 2.

in Fig. 1 is shown a connector of which the present invention is a portion, although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use in a connector of the type illust-rated but may be used wherever two members are to be detachably connected by a pin. 1n F ig. 1 are shown end links L1, 5 and an intermediate link 6 pivoted at 7 to the end links. The link et is provided at one end with bearings 8 and the link 5 is provided at one end with a bearing 9. v

rThe lock pin of the present invention is indicated, in general, by the character 10 and, when the links 1, 5 are in the closed positions shownin Fig. 1, the lock pin 10 engages the bearings 8, 9. f

rllhe lock pin 10 is constructed as follows:

The lock pin comprises a cylindrical body which, in this instance, is formed of two members, a relatively long member 11 and a shorter member 12. The member 11 has at one end aportion 13 of reduced diameter forming a stud which passes through the member 12, being provided with a shoulder 141; against which the member 12 rests so as to space said member 12 from the member 11 and thus form in the body an annular groove 15. rThe outer end oit the stud 13 is headed over, as indicated at 16, to prevent separation or" the stud and member 12.

Surrounding the stud 13 is a ring 17 the outside diameter of which is no greater than the diameter of the body. Preferably Serial No. 153,444.

the outside diameter of the ring is the same as that of the body. The inside diameter vof the ring` 17 is somewhat greater than the diameter o1E the stud 18 so as to form a spring chamber lwhich contains a coil spring 19. The coil spring 19 extends transversely of the ing 17 and eccentric of a mid plane ot' said ring so as to lie on one side of the stud with the ends of the spring substantially in contact with the inner wall of the ring. The

expansive torce of the spring 19 is exerted to holdthe ring in the eccentric position snown inY Fig. 2 and shown in solid lines in F ig. 3. This Aconstruction is of advantage because of its simplicity, as it makes the assembling operation very easy.

By pushing the ring 17, against the eX- pansive force ot' the spring 19, into concen-` tric position with the stud 13, that portion of the ring that, in F ig. 2, projects outside ot the groove 15 may be caused to lie wholly within said groove so that the pin can be slipped through the bearings 8, 9. In the concentric position of the ring 17, the spring ali 19 is compressed or flexed, as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3. After the opera-tor forces the ring into concentric position and moves `the pin endwise suiiiciently to insert the ring in one ofthebearings 8, said bearing will maintain the ring in the concentric position while the ring passes from said bearing into the bearing 9, thus making it very easy to insert and withdraw the pin.

The end of the member 11 'opposite to the groove 15 may be provided with any suitable stop and, in this instance,`said stop is in the form of a Cotter pin 20. Thus the cotter pin prevents endwise movement of the pin in one direction and the ring 17 prevents endwise movement of the pin in the opposite direction.

A lock pin comprising a body provided with a portion of reduced diameter, a ring surrounding said portion, and a spring inside oi the ring having its ends adapted to engage the inner face of the ring, the intermediate portion of the spring engaging the reduced portion.

Signed at Los Angeles, Calif., this 1st day of December, 1926.

JAMES P. RATIGAN. 

